November 9 2015

Exposed Vocals Interviews Grand Surgeon

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

I saw an email and something on Facebook. It seemed to be a good venue to share my music & story.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Lol… I grew up in the heart of Hip Hop, N.Y.C.. Brooklyn born & raised but lived in every borough except Manhattan but when you’re from NYC, you go to Manhattan on the regular, so it’s like universal to you. Like home to all New York City people, na mean.
I have experienced the Hip Hop culture since a little kid. Growing up listening to soul music that my mom played on the stereo and the radio stations like WBLS, KTU, KISS etc. and the block parties with the street deejays and in Prospect Park and the house jams when all of the furniture was stuffed in a back room, lol… that’s what I grew up around. That’s what influenced me. Then of course the groups like Sugarhill, K. Blow, Melle Mel, Flash, Bambatta, Whodini, Jekyll & Hyde, Marley & Mr. Magic, Red Alert, Spoonie G., Jimmy Spicer etc. influenced me as well.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

I didn’t come up with it. It was a moniker or nickname bestowed upon me by the kids in my neighborhood. See, I used to make mixtapes on cassette and share them with my boys on the street corners and the way I cut tapes up and spliced them so intricately with a pause button and metal cassettes it sounded official. Heads never knew if I was on turntables or not, lol… Hence, the Grand Surgeon. I’ve kept that name since 1987.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I still share free music, why not?
People like my music and always want more. I keep current. I do this on my spare time as a lifelong hobby. And want to keep REAL HIP HOP Alive. I’m independent. I know my worth. People approach me consistently asking to manage, publish, market etc. Listen, if I spend money frivolously out of my pocket when REAL industry people can certainly see my worth, let them spend that industry money on me. Na mean. I have faith that if it’s meant to make money it will. So the right deal will present itself. I have a family to feed. I know what’s important. I’m always willing to politic if the cards are right. I’m not desperate, lol… I am a professional in another field. So, all things come in due time. Besides, honestly, most artists are starving in the underground from what I’ve experienced. None are really making dough like they want you to believe.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Sure, believe in yourself. Don’t ever give up. If you love what you do and are passionate about it regardless of the naysayers (negative, jealous, doubting haters) you will reach your potential and goals. People will feel your emotions and personality and character through your art, your gift, your talent. Reach out to websites, radio stations, blogs, promoters and other artists and producers. If your music is good and authentic and original it will morph into its own thing. Like a watered plant with vines. Na mean. Just enjoy it. GOD is good!

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

I used to perform back in the day. It’s been awhile so I am working on it. But it’s always something you have to prepare for. You just do your thing and keep moving no matter what happens. Be positive. No one is perfect.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

No touring yet.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

It’s really just natural to me. It doesn’t take much to write. After 30 years it’s like 2nd. Nature. Although, if I feel an issue is worth writing about I do get passionate about it. There are different styles to my writing, different angles I come at depending on my target audience whether it’s to be dramatic, funnier, deep or light etc. I have various methods of strategies. It’s like, you can say a topic and I will mix freestyle with a bit of research and emotion and my own ideas all into one, and if I’m projecting it outwards , inwards or a combination, lol… I still love this.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Facebook has Grand Surgeon pages
Google – Grand Surgeon for blogs, tracks, mixtapes etc. Also,
ITunes, Audiomack, CDBaby, Amazon,
Radio stations, datpiff.com etc.
www.grandsurgeon.com
Also, YouTube Grand Surgeon channel for about 35 videos.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Hmmm, None. Lol…

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Depends on what is asked for in return, lol… probably travel a little to gain some r&r, inspiration, write, record and do some videos.
Can’t forget investing in my retirement and 10% to charity.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I don’t tell people where I record or on what. That’s my little secret, lol… but it doesn’t matter what you use or where you go. If it’s real & true it’s quality. I write and record to only inspirational music that’s timeless to the ears, heart, mind & soul. I don’t do 1 style or use one producers music or use one type of brand or system. It all comes together nicely. Remember, I started on cassette tapes, lol…

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I go hard on communicating and sharing my works. Trust me, on my spare moments I’m reaching out. People know about my work ethic and respect that. So they listen & respond either way. Good or bad. Internet & social media as well as choppin it up at Artist showcases and through friends in the underground.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

I’d like to perform one day with any good artists that I can blend with. I have a catalog with many features so that’s kind of my fortay so to speak. As far as any people I’d like to meet and politic with maybe Rick Rubin, Steve Albini, Big Pun (R.i.p.), Immortal Technique, Chuck D., D.J. Premier, Marley Marl, Rick Rubin, Doc Dre, RZA, Grandmaster Flash, Katie Perry and Russell Simmons.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

New album in works with a producer from France – Kyo Itachi, called Plastic Surgery.
An ep with producer – Supreme Da Almighty, and a mixtapes with Beatmaker ILL Majestic.
I’m always open to work with artists and producers. Reach me at: [email protected]

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Working 9-5 , lol…

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Hmmm… I bought a few that time like
“Rock ’80” on K-TeL records which featured Rapture by Blondie & Fab 5 Freddie, “Sugarhill Gang” & “These are the Breaks” by Kurtis Blow. Later on, Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals” and Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid In Full” are memorable ones too!.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?